TB wrote:
> x-no-archive: yes
>
> In our last episode <3528BCEE.A48C0C60@klever.net.au> on Mon, 06 Apr 1998
> 21:30:54 +1000, Eben Levy told aus.rail:
>
> >Having been to Melbourne on a B-double and know the work in loading and driving, it
> >will make the whole thing about three times the effort, I don't know about QLD but
> >in Melbourne, the cars are very ignorant to trucks, especially B-doubles, the cars
> >will try to come up on the inside and get abusive when they are forced onto the
> >gutter. I am wondering how they will cope with an extra trailer.
>
> <snip of related matter>
>
> Err, as far as I know, self-driving cars aren't on the market (yet)...
> PEOPLE drive cars; cars don't drive themselves. ;-)
>
> Nonetheless, I am glad you pointed this fact out, as these days most
> accidents involving heavy vehicles are in result of errors by passenger car
> drivers. It was the fault of a 4WD driver - turning in front of the truck
> - that caused the accident in the first (attempted) delivery of a Sydney
> Light Rail vehicle from Melbourne.
>
> Education of ALL drivers is the responsibility of the Federal Office of
> Road Safety (and State transport offices). I remember a while ago (should
> be permanent) a high-profile campaign to educate passenger car drivers of
> the requirements heavy vehicle drivers need to drive safely. But we all
> know what the success rate is of education of the general public.
>
> >So, in my opinion, they should not increase trucks size to carry the loads without
> >actually campaigning to educate drivers or even better, use rail transport and
> >upgrade the railways and not let contractors do it.
>
> >The roads in Sydney, Melbourne
> >and Brisbane aren't suitable to anything bigger then a B-double.
>
> Tests at the Mt Cotton Driving Centre have demonstrated that the B-Triples
> have been working very well, handling like a B-Double... only the B-Triple
> requires a more of a wide approach for a 90 degree (intersection) turn, and
> reversing is somewhat trickier (training will fix this). The B-Triples had
> excellent stability, and there was only minor inclination of the rear
> trailer to swerve or weave during evasive manoeuvring. Too much can make
> the unit roll, so the B-Triple felt as if it was less prone to this.
>
> Of course, the testing of the B-Triples is extensive, and I'm sure all
> matters will be fixed. When articulated passenger buses were introduced
> onto Australian roads, it wasn't until after they were fully in service for
> some time that they found that during certain turns, the turn was too wide
> for regulation. This was quickly fixed with modification(s) to the units.
>
> "Misconception" is the biggest problem in all this.